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Students deserve a career they love without going into debt.

Of the total U.S. workforce, only 30% of the labor market requires employees to have a 4-year degree.*


Getting a traditional degree is not for everyone. It can be expensive and overwhelming. However, just because a person doesn’t have a traditional 4-year degree does not mean that they don’t deserve to have a great career. Encourage students to participate in a registered apprenticeship while in high school. They will gain real world experience while getting paid and will complete a program with a guaranteed job and no student loans!

*W.E. Upjohn Institute, 2023

Berrien talent collaborative’s HIStory

In 2023, a group of education, business and chamber leaders met to discuss Berrien County’s talent problem. They recognized that:

  • Businesses are unable to find and retain workers.
  • Families are facing financial barriers. They cannot afford to send their children to traditional four-year colleges/universities. Students do not want to incur debt.
  • Students who receive post-secondary training are entering the workforce under prepared and unable to meet the specific and unique standards of individual companies.
  • There is a misconception that Berrien County lacks career opportunities, making it a less desirable place to live. As a result of this meeting, the Berrien Talent Collaborative was created. The Berrien Talent Collaborative is a partnership aimed at developing an education to career pipeline, with a focus on registered apprenticeship training.

benefits

Students will earn high school credit and receive advanced on-the-job training at the same time.

  • They will be paid for their time, earning an income while advancing their education.
  • Students learn industry-driven skills, making them more prepared for their careers than what is often learned at traditional 4-year or university institutions.
  • Students will be committed to working for the business after their apprenticeship for a specific number of years, guaranteeing employment after graduating high school.
  • Many businesses that offer apprenticeship opportunities provide additional training opportunities, including financial assistance to the students to earn their degree.

Fill out our short form to request more information if you’re interested in becoming a partnering high school of BTC.

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